Filtration

[alabaster]

Hello I am planning to buy a 20 gallon long aquarium (30"Lx12"Dx12"H) in 1-2 months, and I've been researching filtration. I will be buying convicts, and I do plan to breed them. So, I need a filter that won't suck up the fry. What I plan to buy for filtration are a powerful airpump and two Hagen Double Bio-Foam filters. My question is this: will the two sponge filters provide enough filtration to support two fully-grown convicts in a 20 gallon aquarium? Thanks for reading!

 

[nc_nutcase]

The sponges will provide ample bio-filtration, but they will leave the mechanical filtration up to you.

This means water changes and vacuuming. If your going with a gravel substrate I would suggest keeping it a thin layer (½ inch’s). Then do 30-40% water changes once a week, vacuuming the gravel as you do. If you chose to go with a sand substrate, I prefer to do 2 or 3 smaller (10%) water changes per week. Debris collects on the sand surface which I don’t like leaving laying around.

 

[alabaster]

Is there any way I could go with one double? Or a different brand, but a larger sponge? Are the Hagen Biofoams good?

 

[nc_nutcase]

I’m not fluent in sponge filters as far as brands go. But I would want one in each rear corner for balanced filtration.

 

[swampcat]

Why not go with a HOB filter like an AQUACLEAR 30 or 50 Previously the AC-150, AC-200. Checkout prices at www.petsmart.com , insane cheap prices. My 20 long has one AC-200 does wonderful job. I use the ac-150 on a turtle tank and it does quite well, and with a turtle thats saying something.

These filters are the best HOB's made. And the least exspensive, both up front cost and maint. cost is really inexspensive.

 

[nc_nutcase]

SwampCat... Alabaster wants to go with sponge filters because of breeding. Anything with an intake tube can be a threat to the fry. Sure a stocking or similar over the intake tube will greatly reduce chances of loss of fry, it will still have a much stronger intake flow than a sponge.

thanks for the tips on HOBs though

 

[Tolak]

The problem with the AC's is that they will suck up fry. I love 'em, most every tank has one here. For the fry suck up problem, I just poke a hole half way through an ac sponge & slide it over the intake. Acts as a pre-filter, adds a little more bio filtration area, & keeps the filter from sucking up fry by spreading the intake vacuum over the entire area of the sponge instead of being concentrated over a few slits.

Tolak

 

[swampcat]

You slip a sponge from an ac-mini over the intake tube as I do . Use an exacto knife or other sharp object to make hole and slip it over, keeps fry out of filter. I presently have this set up with pleco fry. Have done this with an ac-500 with convict fry (ac 200 sponge) . Another sulution is a filter bag over intake but these clog really fast. Have to clean bag constantly.

He probably doesn't need a new filter at all then, just a little thought put into it. Everything can be modified to your needs. After your cons mate you'll wish some of these babies got sucked up by the filter, unless your using for feeders! You can't go wrong mating these things.